Giada De Laurentiis Just Shared Her Best Easter Recipes

When Easter comes around, planning the menu for my family is always fun—but it can also be tough to make a final decision. Sometimes a traditional meal with ham, green beans, potatoes and rolls sounds like the perfect choice. Other years, I crave dishes that feel like spring—tender lamb, crisp asparagus and a big green salad. 

If you, like me, could use a little extra inspiration this year, Giada De Laurentiis has us both covered. The chef recently shared some of her favorite Easter recipes, including everything from classic main dishes to bright and flavorful sides. De Laurentiis shares all these recipes in her “ultimate” Easter recipe list, and you’ll be tempted to try just about all of them.

The selection of recipes includes spring classics like Lamb Osso Buco, an artichoke risotto, light brunch recipes and even some stunning desserts. I went through the list with a fine-toothed comb to find the recipes I can’t wait to try, from bright and fresh salmon piccata to simple, festive pie. 

This year more than ever, I want to embrace every moment of spring. I’m breathing in the fresh, sweet air, admiring the little buds popping up on the trees and making these four recipes that are sure to bring a taste of spring to my table.

Salmon with Lemon Caper Sauce

When I’m planning a menu, I always start with the main dish. When you start with a flavorful main dish you’re excited about, it’s easy to tack on complementary recipes to fill out your menu. While I love ham at Easter—it’s what my mom always served—I’m not opposed to going with something that feels lighter and less sodium-packed. 

That’s why De Laurentiis’ recipe for Salmon with Lemon Caper Sauce seems like a stunner. It’s piccata, but instead of chicken, she uses salmon, which is both tasty and easy to prepare, no matter your number of guests. 

Plus, you could even cook the salmon the day before and then reheat it in the oven—I usually do it for about 15 minutes at 275°F. Save the drippings and then use them to make the sauce just before serving. Serve it family style, on a large platter with a bunch of quartered lemons. 

The dietitian in me also loves this dish because it’s a nourishing main that packs protein and plenty of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. You can serve the sauce on the side, too, which means guests can easily control how much they want to add.

Simple Italian Salad 

In my house, every meal comes with a salad—mostly because everyone in my family loves salad. Luckily, Giada has a lovely selection of salad recipes on her Easter list. 

While I love the complexity and flavor profiles of several of the options, I decided on her Simple Italian Salad. The holidays are already stressful, so let’s keep things as easy as possible, right? The salad is very traditionally Italian—just a variety of lettuces tossed with good olive oil and fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper. If you want to take it up a notch, add a few handfuls of grape tomatoes and some freshly grated Parmesan. 

Asparagus and Zucchini Crudi

To me, no veggie says spring like asparagus. De Laurentiis has a few asparagus recipes in her Easter menu, but the Asparagus and Zucchini Crudi is just irresistible. I love that it doesn’t require any cooking, which helps keep the day worry-free. 

It can also easily be prepared a day in advance, with the vegetables being tossed with the simple lemon dressing just before serving. And with something this simple, you can easily adjust the quantities of ingredients to make the perfect amount for your guest list—or you can make some extra for delish leftovers. As an added bonus, asparagus is antioxidant-packed, so you know this recipe brings a healthful touch to your meal, too. 

Easter Pie

While I love the main dishes and all of the sides, I also love a good dessert. My dad used to always make a coconut cake for Easter, but I’m most intrigued by De Laurentiis’ Easter Pie. 

She starts by blending ricotta cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla, eggs and orange zest. To that she adds rice and pine nuts, then layers it with phyllo dough in a pie dish. The final step is covering the top with phyllo, brushing with butter and baking until the filling is set and the phyllo golden-brown. De Laurentiis considers it the Italian equivalent of cheesecake, calling it “creamy, light and just sweet enough!”

I’m trusting Giada’s judgment on this one, and I have a feeling this will be a great finale to a delish Easter meal.

Dive into De Laurentiis’ complete collection of Easter recipes on her website and find the recipes that will add that perfect extra touch to your holiday weekend. Since they’re all Giada-approved, you know you’re getting something fun, fresh and tasty, whichever recipe you choose.